Microsoft claims a “renewed focus on PC gaming”, for real this time guys, where are you going come back

Guys?

Microsoft likes to make a lot of positive noises when it comes to supporting PC gaming and then kind of not-really change anything ever at all, unless you count them shutting down Games for Windows LIVE, which was a positive step in anybody’s books.

Now Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer is at it again, saying to Polygon at this year’s GDC that a “renewed focus on Windows and PC gaming inside Microsoft is definitely happening”.

“You will see more focus from us — not to go compete with what Valve has done, but because we also understand as the platform holder it’s important for us to invest in the platform in a real way. We’re fundamentally committed to that.”

Spencer also said that we haven’t heard the last about Games for Windows LIVE: “You will get a clear answer from us very soon.”

“We have a longer term plan for multiplayer gaming and marketplace on Windows. We understand what we have today in market … isn’t great. We do understand there’s some continuity of getting from where we are to where we want to be [and] that shutting the lights off [on Games for Windows Live] isn’t exactly the right thing to do. We’ve got to make sure we’ve got a thoughtful plan that supports the people that currently have games on Games for Windows Live. It’s a conversation we’re having.”

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At least they said they’re thinking of the games that haven’t patched GFWL out yet.

But yeah kind of sick of them saying over and over that they’re going to support PC and then not doing so, it’s become so much more than a broken record player. Though perhaps they mean it this time not because they’re good guys but actual threat has emerged now between things like mantle and Steam OS.

I have a strong sense of deja vu. Does this really fool anyone? They have been saying this for years. They’ll throw out some half assed shit and pay developers oodles of dollars to use it thus locking them into windows only releases.

Its all just PR speak with their main goal of taking the “steam” (yer i went there) out of valves steamOS before it even starts. It’s the only goal. Personally i’d love steamOS to get a large following – if only to bring some competition and in turn innovation from both parties.

meji:
Remake the damn MS Force Feedback Sidewinder joystick from long ago and that would do it.Damn I miss :(

THIS

Also, wouldn’t mind if they brought back some of the PC developers that they shut down, especially Ensemble Studios, FASA Studio’s and Digital Anvil. (Responsible for Age of Empires, Mech Warrior, Freelancer respectively.)
And a new Black and White 3 wouldn’t go astray from Lionhead either. :P

If they were truly serious about PC gaming then we would have gotten Fable Anniversary on the PC too.

exactly right! (I kid), but at least the Steam DRM isn’t horribly intrusive. It doesn’t affect my gaming, even if I don’t have an internet connection I can still play some, if not most of the games in my library.

We can’t escape DRM at this stage of the gaming world, it’s a perceived layer of security for developers against piracy. We all know how well that works though.

Well I definitely know that Digital Anvil has re-emerged in the form of Cloud Imperium games. They have a little project going at the moment.

I’m aware, but… It’s a missed opportunity to keep some of the team around making some great games.

Instead, Microsoft generally pays other developers to develop “exclusives” for their consoles, whilst minimizing the amount of cash on buying/making developers, the side effect of that is, the PC misses out.

Every time I hear of Microsoft claiming they are going to refocus on gaming I remember this leaked video, and still fail to see how they have changed. Spend some time on Microsoft Virtual Academy and you can see their idea on games, and what they want to teach you to get involved in it, is still all app driven rubbish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBPYdgy35KA

I did love a lot of those Microsoft Game Studio games back in the day.

But if Win8 and the XBox One is anything to go by as far as how the content will be delivered, I will have my doubts if MGS will just work on good games again instead of thinking up ways to make the experience as alien as possible.